August 31, 2011

Should You Pay for Nitrogen in Car Tires?

Some tire dealers and auto service centers will now fill your car tires with nitrogen instead of regular air.  Nitrogen is said to be more beneficial for your tires.   Sometimes the service is free.  Other times the shop will charge a fee such as $10 per tire. 

Is it worth it to pay extra to have your car tires filled with nitrogen?

No.  Its NOT worth paying extra money to have nitrogen pumped into your car tires rather than regular air.

It is a good idea to use nitrogen in your tires.   It helps

A Popular Mechanics article Nitrogen vs Air In Tires - Why Nitrogen in Tires - Popular Mechanics  discussed the topic.   They say:

"First is that nitrogen is less likely to migrate through tire rubber than is oxygen, which means that your tire pressures will remain more stable over the long term"   and  that " There will be less moisture inside your tires, meaning less corrosion on your wheels"   

These two things should both be beneficial to your tires.    However neither is beneficial enough to warrant paying extra money for.  The Strait Dope asks  Is it better to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of air?
and they doubt either is even noticeable difference for typical drivers.  They say :


"I found no scientific tests showing that nitrogen-filled tires stayed inflated longer than average under normal conditions."  and "Seriously rusted wheels are uncommon in typical steel-wheeled cars, and many high-performance cars have alloy wheels that don't rust at all."

Bottom Line : If its free then go ahead and get nitrogen in your tires.   But if you have to pay for it then save your money.


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